Ok, losses are piling up, the bullpen has been making us yearn for even the current version of BJ Ryan, the starters are getting hit around, and the bats have cooled faster than an Elizabeth Taylor marriage. Rather than focus on the obvious negative, I’d like to take some positive from the events of the last couple of weeks.

Tallet gets shelled: This is really ideal for the immediate success of the Jays. Tallet does have some reasonable results as a starter, but he’s much more valuable as a part of the bullpen. He can function as a lefty specialist, a short guy, long guy, spot starter and probably even has the psychological mettle required to close if it comes to that. This move allows the not quite ready for prime time Rommie Lewis to go back to the minors and allows the team to begin the audition for the fifth starter of the future…cue Jesse Litsch, Brad Mills and Marc R among others.

Adam Lind might be finding his stroke: The lopsided losses in Tampa allowed Lind to bat in meaningless situations. This allowed him to work on his approach without feeling the pressure to perform. He’s begun taking the ball hard to the opposite field, while stinging it a bit to the pull field.

David Purcey has logged some innings: Purcey’s got some nasty stuff, and has the ability to grow some facial hair, both of which make him closer material. The blowout losses have forced Cito to call Purcey’s number allowing him to get acclimated to a major league bullpen. Let’s see if we can move him into later game situations of games that are actually on the line.

In watching the Devil Ray disasters, the cameras peeled away from Dick Vitale just long enough for me to see Dustin McGowan sitting on the bench with the big club. I’d kind of given up on him/assumed his nasty stuff was just a figment of my imagination. Hope springs eternal in my feeble mind, so I’m happy and that’s all that matters.

Turning point in the rebuilding process: Ubaldo Jimenez –who I hear knows a thing or two about pitching- intentionally walked Lyle Overbay on Friday night. Suddenly the smooth swinging first baseman’s trade stock is through the roof –of his modest Seattle bungalow-. I’m thinking draft pick or power bullpen arm like the ones in Chicago that strike out every Jay batter they face, you know, the guys before mashing closer Bobby Jenks.

Can we get off Cito’s back pleaseRays’ manager Joe Maddon lets BJ Upton try to steal third with a smoking hot Evan Longoria at the plate, he’s letting his catcher lead off, and he calls for his clean up hitter to bunt. These are all unconventional moves for which he is lauded as an original and creative thinker. We’re calling for Cito’s head on a platter when he uses the wrong kind of sunflower seeds. Just leave him alone and let him steer the ship. The only useful impact that a manager has is his effect on clubhouse morale. Cito’s thin skin won’t deal well with the constant attacks and morale will suffer.

Curious Question:I know nobody reads me, so it’s kind of waste of time to ask this question, but I’ll do it anyway.In Friday night’s game, the Jays were losing 4-3 with the bases loaded, when starting pitcher Ricky Romero was lifted for pinch hitter Jeremy Reed. If Reed’s line drive had found a hole, and the Jays had taken and held onto the lead, who would have been credited with the win?Starter Romero? I don’t think so, he left the game with the Jays losing.Reliever Frasor? But he would have entered the game with the Jays already in the lead. Would it be like one of those situations where the starting pitcher leaves with a lead but fails to complete the minimum five innings required for the win? I’m sure that I’d know the answer to this question if I watched more NL ball…but the Expos are gone, and I have no need to see Jays castoffs torch the league…Carpenter and Werth that’s you!